56 ANNUAL REPORT. 
_ 
f HORTICULTURE AS AN ART, 
and our duty in bringing it before the rising generation in our 
schools, academies and universities. It was the first art ever 
taught man. God himself, in His infinite wisdom, planted the 
first garden, and from that day to this it has been man’s great- 
est and best blessing on this earth, and consequently Shoal 
stand at the head of all other arts and sciences. The too com- 
mon idea that to be a good gardener or horticulturist requires 
but little education and less brains, is a sentiment only fit for 
the dark ages, and is only entertained by those who know 
nothing of its first principles, as is also the idea that it is not 
an honorable or lucrative pursuit. Is not the name of Mar- 
shall P. Wilder known and honored as far and wide as that of 
U. S. Grant? Are not the names of Downing, Kincutt, 
Hooper, Wilson, Barry, Vick, Ellwanger, and hosts of others, 
household words among the enlightened and intelligent of this 
and other lands ? and have not Hendersen, Paly, Ellwanger 
and Barry, Hoveys, Vick, Briggsand many others, demonstrated 
that horticulture, with capital and intelligence to guide and 
manage its affairs, can be made profitable? What trade or 
profession can we find that will run itself without brains or 
capital, and make a fortune for the men who pursue it? With 
knowledge, labor is capital. Again, what trade or profession 
offers as many inducements at the present time for young men 
and ladies as horticulture ? [ mean for men of intellect and 
energy. All other trades and professionsare full to overflow- 
ing. But can there be found a supply of competent garden- 
ers, fruit-growers or florists ? and where is there a town or 
city among the inhabitants of the civilized portion of the 
-globe, but what there is a demand for all the products of the 
horticulturist ? His fruits, vegetables and flowers not only 
grace the table of kings, presidents, and nobility of the land, 
but the poor and the middle classes. Each and all come in 
for their share, and no highly civilized or enlightened com- 
munity will be without them in abundance. They form a 
darge part of the imports and exports of our commerce, and 
of the commerce and trade ofall the civilized world. Now, this 
suggests another idea to me that, in view of the importance 
of our calling and profession, shall we always stand in the 
background and play “second fiddle,” as the saying is, to 
horse-racing and herdsmen? I say not, and that horticulture 
is as far ahead of those callings as the enlightened countries 
on the globe, where horticulture flourishes, are ahead of the 
Arabs and the half-civilized tribes of Mexico and South 
America, where horse and cattle-raising form the chief octu- 
pation. Now, cannot we under our new constitution and our 
